Isaac b



No Model.)

I. B. WOLLARD.

FRUIT CARRIER.

No. 524,625. Patented Aug. 14, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC B. WVOLLARD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM B. LAKE, OF SAME PLACE.

FRUIT-CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 524,625, dated August 14, 1894.

Application filed December 22, 1893- Serial No. 494A35. (No model.)

Fruit-Carriers; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a carrier for fruit, eggs, and other fragile, delicate or perishable substances.

It consists of a series of compartments hav" lug inclined elastic sides and elastic pieces extending above and below the compartments, and in certain details of construction which will bemore fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of the carrier. Fig. 2 is a detached view of part of an elastic partition and cushion strip.

A A are strips of cardboard or other suitable thin material, forming the partitions of a compartment case, extending in one direc tion parallel with each other. These strips are made of a length suitable for the size of the case into which they are to be placed, and there may be as many of them side by side as will till the outer case from side to side, the spaces between them being made of a size to suit the article to be contained in the compartment. The upper edges of these strips are cut with dovetailed slots or openings B extending a short distance down from the top, and adapted to receive the transverse partitions C. These partitions C are made of a sheet of paste-board or other thin flexi-' ble material folded in the center, and having slots or channels D cut in the free edges, of a Width and depth sufficient to allow them to fit the dove-tailed slots in the partitions A, and when in this position the top and bottom of the transverse strips correspond approxi' mately with the top and bottom of the longitudinal strips.

When the folded strips C are introduced into the slots B made in the strips A, the edges of the strips C are closed together, allowing the double strip to be introduced into the narrower upper part of the dove-tailed slots D, and the slots in the strips C allow them to pass down astride of the bottom of the dove-tailed slots of the strips A, until, as

before stated, the top and bottom of the strips C coincide approximately with the top and bottom of the strips A.

As soon as the strips C are introduced into their places, the lower edges will separate, as shown, so that the strips C stand in an A form across the strips A. They are then looked in place by inserting through the slots B, and inside of the upper part of the strips C, the locking bars or strips E which are made long enough to extend entirely across from end to end of the strip C. These locking strips are made of an elastic or yielding substance. I have found that strips of the pithy reed, known as tule, when dried and flattened slightly, form a very suitable binding strip, the yielding character being sulficient to allow them to be easily pushed through the channel formed in the upper part of the strip C, and above the bottom of the dove-tailed slots in the strips A, while their elasticity is sufficient to bind them in place when introduced. When the compartments are thus put together, the lower part of the compartment is of less diameter in one direction than the upper part, on account of the divergence of the parts C.

Upon the bottom of the case, and inter mediate between each set of compartments (which are placed one on top of the other until the case is filled), I place horizontal diaphragms or partitions F having secured to them in line beneath each of the compartments, the strips G of the elastic or flexible tule reed or other material, so that each article placed in each compartment will rest at the bottom upon the elastic strip, and will be held in place by a similar elastic strip at the top. When delicate substances or fruit which are easily bruised, such as peaches, plums, &c., are placed in these compartments, they will be caused to fit snugly therein by reason of the diverging elastic sides C of the compartment, and also by reason of the elasticity of the locking strips which hold them in place, and at the bottom and top they are similarly supported by the elastic strips G, so that the danger of bruising in case of fruit, or breakage in case of eggs or other delicate substances is reduced to a minimum.

' The lower edges of the longitudinal strips A are shown as cut away between the strips C so as to leave a ventilation through each of the compartments, and openings are also made through the horizontal partitions 'or floors of the cases for the same purpose.

In order to handle each set of superposed compartments, I find it preferable to make the horizontal diaphragms continuous with the outer sides A of each set of compartments as shown, so that they may be lifted and moved by taking hold of these sides.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A compartment case, the compartments of which are formed of a series of longitudinal and cross strips, the strips of one series having dove-tailed slots cut in their upper edges, and the strips of the other series being composed of pieces folded upon themselves and adapted to fitthe dove-tailed slots in the other strips, and means for expanding said folded strips so that they are locked to the other strips.

2. A compartment case consisting of single longitudinal strips having dove-tailed slots cut in the upper edges at regular intervals, transverse diaphragms consisting of strips folded in the center having slots out in the lower edges to fit the dove tailed channels of the longitudinal strips, and locking strips inserted through the dove-tailed slots and within the A-shaped upper part of the transverse strips, substantially as herein described.

. 3. A compartment case consisting of longitudinal strips having dove-tailed slots made in the upper edges, transverse diaphragms composed of strips folded with their separated edges downward, and adapted to fit across the longitudinal strips, and in the dove-tailed slots thereof, locking strips consisting of the elastic pieces inserted within the A-shaped upper part of the transverse strips, and extending across through the dove-tailed slots of the longitudinal strips, substantially as herein described.

4. A carrying case consisting of a series of compartments composed of longitudinal and transverse strips united as shown, horizontal diaphragms interposed between each series of superposed compartments, and having elastic strips secured upon them so as to extend above and below the compartments, substantially as herein described.

5. A carrying case, consisting of a series of superposed compartments, each series consisting of longitudinal strips having dove-tailed slots in the upper edges, transverse partitions formed of folded slotted strips adapted to fit the dove-tailed slots of the longitudinal strips, and elastic locking bars extending through the slots Within the upper part of the folded strips, horizontal ventilated diaphragms interposed between the series of compartments having the elastic strips passing beneath and above the compartments, and slots or channels cut in the lower edges of the longitudinal compartment strips, substantially as herein described.

6. A carrying case consisting of an exterior containing box, superposed compartments composed of parallel strips with dove-tailed slots in the upper edges and transverse strips formed of pieces folded upon themselves with their free edges slotted and fitting the dovetailedslots, means for separating or expanding said free ends whereby the transverse strips are locked in place horizontal partitions between the superposed sets of compartments, with elastic strips against which the contents of the compartments are supported above and below, and ventilating openings made through these partitions, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ISAAC B. WV OLLARD.

Witnesses:

S. H. NoURsE, J. A. BAYLEss. 

